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V O L . X X X I I N O. X I X 80 Fact Book / Doing Business in Maine C O N T E N T S P H OTO E S S AY ABOVE: The July shows at Live at Madrid's in Portland mark my first time photographing the full band together since spring, though I have photographed several members away from the stage in recent weeks. Before Friday night's performance, Will and I meet Brian and about two dozen devoted fans at The Thirsty Pig. Among them is Jodi Benvie of Windham, who has seen the band about 70 times. As Brian shows her photos of his dog, I notice the words "I Choose My Joy," a band lyric tattooed on her left inside arm. After Jodi's wife was diagnosed with cancer, the couple chose to embrace joy throughout her illness. She died two years ago. "We might not be happy, but we've got joy," Jodi said. Unable to find the right font, she asked Luke to write the words in Sharpie. The bold lettering now reminds Jodi, and others who see it, to choose joy. BELOW: The band performs during its second headlining night at Live at Madrid's in Portland. Shows like this are central to the band's livelihood. The way people listen to music digitally has made recordings less profitable, so the group relies on frequent live performances. The band now averages just over 100 performances a year, a pace that keeps its members busy without repeating the more demanding touring schedule of its earlier years. "At one point, we were playing like almost 250 shows a year," Luke said. "That's a good way to burn yourself out, lose all your money," he explained. The steady stream of shows has also helped the band build a close community around its music. "We're like their hometown in a lot of ways. We're like the place that they come to for their community," Andrew explained. Live at Madrid's owner Josh Schlesinger said that connection reflects how deeply the band represents Maine, not only through their music but also through the way its members carry themselves. "I think that's why they're so popular in Maine, they hold up a mirror to the audience," he said. LEFT: The band closes its two-night run at Live at Madrid's with the same revved-up version of "Portland Town" that opened the State Theatre show in December. After their shows, the band spends time with fans before packing up. Because many fans return again and again, the band's time with them is more than a quick photo. There are conversations and updates about their lives and families, a connection that helps explain why they root so fiercely for the band. When I ask Luke about the band's growing popularity, he says it does not need to happen all at once. "I love the idea that we can find two new people at this show," he adds, "and we're going to become his favorite band tomorrow." Well, Luke, I was one of them. Struggle, success Two days later, on Super Bowl Sunday morning, I was sitting in my car at Fort Williams Park near the small rocky beach at Ship Cove, reviewing photos from a client shoot. e winter wind pushed against the car as I looked out toward Ram Island Ledge Light. I wasn't getting much work done. Despite my best efforts to focus, my mind kept drifting back to the concert. I thought about what it takes to make a living as a full-time band today. e uncertainty. Like any creative career, it's rewarding, but it asks for a lot in return. As a photographer, I've always been drawn to people who choose that path anyway. e ambition. e passion. e willingness to keep creating because they can't imagine doing anything else. Maybe that's because I understand that dream. e hours people don't see. e desire to chase an idea, create something meaningful, and hope someone else sees the value in it. Sitting there looking out over Casco Bay, I realized there was a story worth telling. Not just about a band, but about the struggle, success and determination behind it. I set aside the client photos and began writing my story pitch for this Mainebiz Fact Book. I sent it to both Mainebiz and the band, hoping they'd both say yes. ey did. Now it's July 11, the final night of the band's two- show run at Live at Madrid's in Portland. It's also my last night photographing them for this story. Once again, I'm standing in the middle of the crowd. is time, though, I have cameras hanging from both shoulders. I'm documenting the same people who, months earlier, gave me a moment I didn't know I needed. As the band closes the night with "Portland Town," I find myself thinking back to that December evening at the State eatre, Christmas, my father, and those lights on Casco Bay. It's funny how life works sometimes. I bought a ticket to see a band I barely knew. at ticket took me from Portland Town to Mallettville. » C O N T I N U E D F RO M P R E V I O U S PA G E

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